Shop Naked (Not that we would…but we could!)

You’ve had the reoccurring nightmare. You wake up in the middle of 6th grade class naked. “I forgot clothes this morning, Damn.” Amazing how you got this far without noticing (kind of like the glasses on your head and the keys in your hand you can’t seem to find.)

Well now we can shop nakey too. And this is no nightmare. As long as we do it from home, in bed, way under the covers (because we can’t sleep anyway, thinking about all we have To Do).

Just go to www.safeway.com. Okay, that’s done. (Just remember to get dressed before answering the door.)

On Second Thought

Maybe not. We’re a little modest anyway.

We much prefer these luscious cashmere panties in yummy bubblegum. It’s far better than nakey. And they are made right here by KitKitDodge .

If you’re going to wear panties, really, they must be cashmere.

Choose the perfect snap suit to fit your baby's personality and give
unforgettable shower gifts with these fabulous vintage-inspired sets from
You're Such a Baby.

Belly Buttons are a fabulous way to spread the word to friends and family
about your newborn babe. Forget stodgy, passé cigars. Buttons are hip,
wearable art pieces that will be worn with pride!

All these and more at our local Blackwagon.com!

Nolita Knows Jeans

Get your pretty bum into Nolita and try on the latest in denim! They have no less than 80 styles and washes in stock for men and women. The staff can recommend what brands or styles would look best on your body and they are happy to dig through stacks of jeans to find that flawless fit!

They have an on-site hemming service (every staff-member is trained to take your measurements) and their seamstress re-attaches the original hem. Your jeans will be the perfect length without altering the original look.

What’s hot right now in jeans?

Jeans from Dondup (currently selling out at Fred Segal, LA…all the rage), Notify (they sculpt your body), True Religion (Love the “Joey” style; seen on Cameron Diaz, Jessica, Sting and all the celebs), Rock & Republic (for sexy and confident women who understand the rock and roll lifestyle – hey, that’s you!), and Antik Denim (“Antique” – available in limited editions and made from the finest Japanese fabrics).

And Nolita has amazing clothes and accessories too. So what are you waiting for? For the hottest in denim and a customized fit, get that fair hiney on down to Nolita.

Nolita
923 NW 10th Ave
Park Place @ NW 10th & Lovejoy
(406) 728-6556

Ella Posie Mosie’s Onto Broadway

Bigger is better (right, Girls?) Well, now Ella Posie has taken their darling boutique filled with everything girly, swirly and feminine and expanded their shop with double the pleasure.

The Ella/Posie Boutique has changed its name to just plain "Ella Posie" and moved, expanded, and redesigned. Installed in the newly reupholstered Sofa Table Chair at 1916 NE Broadway (Irvington), Alicia Paulson and Carmen Bailey offer a finely edited collection of gifts and accessories for baby, bridal, birthday, and "just because." With over 30 new product lines, many from independent, artisan designers, the new boutique is a charming confection of treats: Flower-bedecked tutus in ice-cream colors, Vintage wallpaper stationery, bandboxes, and peg racks, and hand-crocheted bird mobiles, cupcakes, and vintage party hats. Oh my!

With a big flash of pink and a slightly Asian theme, Ella Posie is the sweetest retreat. Bath fizz balls the size of your head flank an entire wall in flavors like lemon cream and violet dream. They look like they belong in a candy store! Ella Posie carries beautiful, pink, delicate things like handmade jewelry, hand knit baby caps, baby clothes, and one-stop shopping for brides (including wedding event planning). It’s such a sweet sanctuary!

Ella Posie
1916 NE Broadway
503.236.2933
www.ellaposie.com

Surf’s Up

It's not just Earth Day anymore... but Surf Day! Do your part for the beach (and mountains) while shopping for hip used clothing at a bargain at your local Buffalo Exchange. In celebration of Earth Day, all proceeds from Buffalo Exchange's Dollar Day Sale benefit Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots, environmental nonprofit organization that works to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches through conservation, activism, research and education.

Surfrider Foundation's members include surfers, swimmers, divers, body boarders, kayakers and beach enthusiasts, plus snowboarders and skiers who support the stewardship of alpine and valley watersheds through the foundation's Snowrider Project. Last year, Buffalo Exchange stores raised over $22,000 for Surfrider.

Buffalo Exchange has raised over $95,000 for environmental causes through Dollar Day Sales on Earth Day since 1997.

Buffalo Exchange Surf Day Benefit
Apr 23, 2005 All day
1036 W. Burnside
www.buffaloexchange.com

Lovely Lauro

Portlanders begged and pleaded and Lauro finally listened! Now they are open seven days a week! If you haven’t experienced this East side treasure, its divine menu offers a variety of Mediterranean flavored dishes.

The new spring menu abounds with fresh, spring vegetables like asparagus, peas, artichokes, Meyer lemons and rhubarb! Specials include Oven Roasted Asparagus with Romesco Sauce, Alaskan Halibut with Spicy Eggplant Stew and Green Olive Relish, Grilled New York Steak with Heirloom Potato Salad and Tarragon Butter, Italian Sausage and Caramelized Onion Pizza. And if that doesn’t have your mouth watering already, how about dessert?! New spring desserts include Meyer Lemon Tart with Candied Lemons and Chantilly Cream and Rhubarb Cobbler with Strawberry Coulis and Vanilla Ice Cream.

New drinks include the “Maker’s Manhattan,” and our favorite, “The Mojito.”

And Lauro was featured in the April issue of Bon Appetit magazine. They touted it as one of the “city’s culinary trailblazers” who have been setting up shop on Portland’s eastside, including Lauro Chef-Owner David Machado.

On Monday, April 25th Lauro participates in Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Portland, a fundraiser for The Oregon Food Bank.
for tickets call 503-222-4644.

Lauro Kitchen
3377 SE Division #106
503.239.7000
www.laurokitchen.com

“Salud!”

Even the single Portland Pickster gets just as tired of the age old question, “What’s for dinner?” as do those of us with 5 kids. Thank God there’s Whole Foods. Not only can you load up on the tastiest, organic PREPARED food, you can pick up a swanky, stylish, new set of napkins, tide over the youngsters by cruising the samples, and also take a class on expanding your culinary repertoire!

Each month, Whole Foods in the Pearl, lines up an entire month of fabulous cooking classes and saves us from those nothing-in-the-fridge doldrums.

• The Indian Way to Cook Seasonally - Saturday, April 23rd from 3-6 p.m. $40 Tomorrow the owner of Taste of India Catering teaches a class on the traditional methods of Indian cooking. Leena Ezekiel will take her students through the process of creating a 4-course Indian meal.
• Vegetarian Basics - Sauces Sunday, April 24th from 2-5 p.m. $40 You can spice up anything by just adding sauce. This is a whole three hours of making great sauces, Chef Ivy is featured. Never have bland pasta again.

Whole Foods
1210 NW Couch St.
503.525.4343
www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/portland

Admit it. You’ve plee-ayed around your house when no one was looking, emulating a ballerina, taking yourself mighty seriously. You’ve secretly wished you could be one of those lean, graceful gals you see on the commercial montage, their leg hoisted up very high on that bar, or a willowy gal frolicking by a stream (usually the birth control ads... “There she goes. There she goes again.” Yep. That’s you.)

Ballet is one of those elusive art forms -- you either find it
mysterious, you kinda get it, or are one of the very few who know why it
is so exhilarating.

Well it’s your lucky day. The Oregon Ballet Theater wants to allure those of you out there that admire ballet; its classic movement, costumes, toe shoes, but don't quite know why (We want toe shoes!!).

Add extra insight to your evening at the theatre with a pre-show talk by their dance historian. Learn of story lines, costumes, musicality and production.

The theatre offers group packages for 10 or more -- for all those ladies who like to see men and women in white tights and black eyeliner; sit close and forever be impressed by the utter beauty, stamina and sweat before your eyes.

For an evening you won't forget... call Lisa @ 503.227.0977 x 251 for group consultation on discounted tickets with no service fees!

OBT (the Oregon Ballet Theatre) has one more performance run this season -- the 2nd, 3rd & 4th weekends in May. Next season is finalized and starts Fall 2005.

Quirks and Quandaries

Wabi Sabi. The [Japanese] word of the day. It means the beauty of things imperfect. And we think that’s just perfect. We love things interesting, unique, different...quirky. It’s Neopolitan versus vanilla (or even Chocolate Chunk and Cookie Dough Ice cream with Gummy Worms on top). We’re only here a short time so make things the quirkier the better. That’s why we were immediately attracted to Quirks and Quandaries on North Mississippi. It’s Us! Quirky? We hope so. Quandary? Always.

Q&Q is a small craft shop and studio located on the Historic Mississippi Avenue. They have an eclectic, super duper fun collection of gift items that are either handmade or from local companies. They also have a craft room in the back where they hold a wide variety of workshops, perfect for a quirky girl’s night out.

The gift items range from lavender aromatherapy to AstroTurf purses to bibs and aprons made from recycled fabrics. They have fantastic kids items too, including kits for making science projects, beading and simple hand sewing.

Their craft room is available for drop in creativity projects anytime they are open. It is an unbelievable $1.50 per person plus supplies. They also conduct evening classes on Wednesdays and have the schedule listed on their web site. On Wednesdays and Fridays, Kirsten, the owner, brings her 7-month-old baby to work and encourages other mothers to do the same in order to work on their baby books together. The idea is to make other mothers feel comfortable when (if) their child becomes fussy by including her own in the mix. (How sweet!)

They also have a kid’s workshop every second Thursday, during the Second Thursday Music Walk in which many businesses along the street have music in their establishments and other musicians performing outside. So come and craft, and meet like-minded individuals and make memories together!

Quirks and Quandaries
3955 N Mississippi
Portland, Oregon 97227
503-493-9716
www.QandQ.net

On Sunday, June 5, 2005 from noon to 4:30, you are invited for a complimentary skin analysis at L’Mu. Your complimentary service includes a professional Skin Cleansing, a Skin Scanner Analysis, and Professional Skin Care Recommendations.

Experience remarkable results with L’Mu’s professional skincare facials and other programs to get you on your way to flawless! Call them at 503.224.8171 and make your reservation today (reservations are limited!)

Take five years off and give your skin that glow that a facial and only one other thing can give! Ooo L’Mu!

L’Mu Skin Care Salon
810 NW 12th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97209

Trail Blazin’ artists, that is (tricked ya!). Portland has so much talent. Artist’s that are blazing their own creative trail. One Portland jewelry designer, Debbie Hamada, is a standout. Having attended F.I.T. in Manhattan, she works with vintage glass beads in a way that is completely unique.

Each piece begins with recent inspirations: a newly acquired vintage bead or an observation of a kicky color mix. She spends a good deal of time choosing the colors, textures and shapes to be melded into each piece of jewelry. She works with a huge variety of beads including: ethnic, “nuevo vintage”, recycled and truly vintage (from the 1950-1970’s). Up to 20 strands of different tones of waxed linen run through the core of each piece.

This is truly spectacular one of a kind wearable art. Have a look.

We love going on vacation, but call us crazy, we go a little nuts when we can’t get our regular workout in. It’s always so easy to gain 8 pounds on vacation from lack of exercise (and too many Mai Tai’s) and always painfully impossible to shed them. It isn’t ladylike to admit but we always feel a little gross and bitchy without our workout.

Looking forward to our vacation, we starve ourselves for weeks and work out like crazy. We work hard to get in that new bikini, arriving on vacation feeling SO skinny and cute. But two-three days into it, we’re fatola again and none of our new clothes fit, so we end up wearing the same fat outfit again and again.

The Skinny-You didn’t last very long but why is it the Fatty-Vacation-You always does so well-- even down to that last cerveza and your very own Pizza Hut pizza at the airport on the way home? You’re starting tomorrow, tomorrow, yeah, yeah tomorrow….

But now you don’t have to fall into this spiral. You can stay on your program even when you go to a remote spot in the Rain Forest and they haven’t discovered fitness yet. Just take your pilates routine with you on your ipod. Call it a portable personal trainer with downloadable mat sessions! Go to iAmplify.com and download a cardio workout, pilates, yoga, strength training. They even have spinning programs. Granted not as entertaining as our Spinning class but it’ll do when we can’t be there live. This is so cool!

With technology moving lighting fast, maybe someday you can have a virtual workout and it will count. In the meantime, on vacation this will keep us out of the muu muu a little longer.

Ring in Spring

We love Rachel Leigh (and so do the celebs), and we can’t stop coveting her colorful cluster rings.

Composed of a variety of gems and colors with gold wire banding, these hand-made rings are the perfect accessory accompaniment to don with spring’s classy looks. Our fave?

This Pearl, Agate, Quartz and Jade ring is both feminine and makes a bold statement --- ring in spring now at www.shopbop.com…($154).

All You

We’re always on the lookout for a fresh take on the greeting and note card front, and that’s why we’ve stocked up on so many of the whimsical designs we’ve found at the Pulp Factory.

Even if you’re not head over heels for the Party Girl or Shopping Girl note cards pictured, you can join the site ($9.95 for six months) and design as many invites or cards as your little heart desires. Simply print them out, and voila…you can get your party started without the hassle of visiting your local stationery store!

Swing and Sway

Sashay your way into spring with this season’s must-have clothing item…the full skirt!

You’ll be channeling your inner Island Princess in this cheeky skirt with enough swing and sway to entice that handsome hunk into your own little secluded getaway for the evening…

We adore the bamboo stripes, watermelon background & vibrant hibiscus flowers…pair it with a cashmere tank or halter and you’re good to go, gorgeous (Only $88 at www.anthropologie.com.

Not Bleeker Street, but the infamous Magnolia cupcakes can now be yours for the making (and the indulging at nearly 500 cals a pop).

Magnolia Bakery became a household phenomenon after being exposed on Sex and The City. Now hankering fans stand in line, ordering 20,000 cupcakes a week. Reminds us of the Soup Nazi, only sweeter. And now you can make world famous Magnolia cupcakes and other old fashioned sweets from the comfort of your kitchen with their decadent cookbook.

The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook: Old-Fashioned Recipes From New York's Sweetest Bakery (Now this secret family recipe can be yours!)

What's faster than a carb-free diet, safer than lipo and able to slay cellulite in a single round? It's a shoe (really!), it's in grey, it's the famed Swiss Masai Sport Sneaker. Last seen fighting lower body bulge alongside the world's greatest adipose antagonist, Poetic Cosmetics Fat Girl Slim, both available from famed Bliss Spa in New York.

And while you’re tromping around in your strange looking shoes that are fighting off your cellulite, you already look silly, you might as well pile on the fatgirlslim coffee to your behind too — and whew! What a workout. That cellulite will have a run for your money. Fatgirlslim (and these anti-cellulite sneakers) is the treatment all of the stars are talking about. Rather than rubbing coffee grinds on your thighs, try this instead…it’s full of encapsulated caffeine molecules and it’s all the rage. Rub it on thighs, abs, and arms. Indulge in a “faux’ workout and ‘run,” don’t walk to www.blissworld.com and pick them up!

The Dior Princess Ring. What more could you need Princess. Lipstick and Jewelry in one, like Pink Majesty Lips. How practical.

Leave the evening handbag at home, since all we really use is lipstick, and wear this instead.

You can never be too fancy!

Fever Pitch, starring Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, Lenny Clarke, Jack Kehler & James B. Sikking

We love Nick Hornby’s novels, and we love it even more when they’re adapted into hip and edgy movies with believable male/female roles --- think High Fidelity with John Cusack and About a Boy with Hugh Grant. Once again, a Hornby novel has made it to the screen, however with unlikely directors as collaborators…the Farrelly brothers! Surprising? Yes! However under their direction (remember Something About Mary?), Barrymore as Lindsey and Fallon as Ben shine in an unlikely love story set amidst a baseball backdrop --- and a starring role for the Boston Red Sox!

Barrymore stars as Lindsey, a high-powered business executive who begins dating Ben (Fallon), a high-school teacher. Is she dating down? Perhaps…but Ben's charm seems to outweigh their career disparity...until baseball season arrives. Engaging and adorable, Fallon has finally found a role he can live in post Saturday Night Live --- the question is whether his character Ben will be able to work his mojo on Lindsey when his obsession with the Sox keeps getting in the way... Invited to Paris for the weekend, Ben, of course, has a Sox game he has to attend. Barrymore's retort reminds us all of similar past exchanges in relationships, "Here's a tip, Ben…when your girlfriend says let's go to Paris for the weekend --- you go." Truer words were never said… Check out Barrymore and Fallon's undeniable chemistry at a theater near you and see if they'll hit a home run in the romance department!

Would You Rather: Over 200 Absolutely Absurd Dilemmas to Ponder
by Justin Heimberg, David Gomberg

If we had a dinner party and could invite anyone we wanted (and they would actually come), we'd invite: Clive Owen, Ann Coulter, Steve Jobs, Ed from spinning class, and the two cute boys* that wrote the creatively bizarre and hysterically sophomoric books, "Would You Rather...." (Over 200 Absolutely Absurd Dilemmas to Ponder.) And then at the dinner party, we would poll everyone, using the questions in the book.

"Okay, Clive. You HAVE to pick one. Would you rather have glow-in-the-dark body hair, OR be immune to the lethal combination of Pop Rocks and Coke?

"Ann, would you rather break a light bulb in your mouth OR be slashed with a thousand paper cuts and then dipped into a giant bowl of rubbing alcohol?"

"Ed, would you rather gyrate spastically in front of your best friend's parents for a full two minutes, or wear an obscenely revealing thong bathing suit to the beach?"

*"And Boys, Justin and David, if you're reading this [because somehow you Googled yourself and it came up] will you come to our dinner party? (Sorry, no alternative choice)?

Check out the authors and their site (and the WYR of the Day) www.wouldyourather.com

The Dave Matthews Band’s New CD, Stand Up, will be released on May 10th.

His first single, “American Baby,” is already a hit. We dig this guy and can’t wait for this new album. He can’t miss. Two well manicured thumbs up (and a flicker and wave of our lighter.)

Stand Up girls, and pre-order now.

Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky will be packed with revelers in just a few short weeks (May 4th to be exact!), but you don’t need to buy your airplane ticket to get a little taste of the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Add a little zip to the traditional Julep and don’t forget to use the Kentucky Bourbon!

For this and more fabulous cocktail recipes go to www.cocktailtimes.com…

Mint Julep Martini

• 2 parts of orange liqueur
• 2 parts of Kentucky bourbon
• 1/4 oz Vanilla Vodka
• 1/4 oz Peppermint Schnapps

Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with mint springs and/or an orange twist. This is a refreshing kick in the pants of a beverage. Drink while wearing frilly hat at a jaunty angle.

Art on Fremont

• What: "Art on Fremont"
• Who: Member artists of Beaumont Wilshire Neighborhood Association Artspace: www.bwna.org/artspace
• Where: Businesses along NE Fremont 'tween NE 40th to 51st will be showing/selling the works of Beaumont Wilshire artists. Map available. Contact: Adrienne Fritze (503) 445-1268 or Adrienne@urbanesque.com
• When: May 1- 31st, 2005
• Participating Artists:
  Pauline Dugas Tait <<-- www.pdt8.com <http://www.pdt8.com> , Adrienne Fritze, Lynn Gandolfi, Robyn Waters, Elaine Falbo, Keith Buckley, Judee Moonbeam, David Friedman, Mario Caoile, Carol Sands, Wink Junior, Dan Ennis, Rita Catapano, Barry Frankel, Suzie Spaggiari.
• Participating Merchants:
  Fife, Bella Flora, Criollo Bakery, Cool Runnings, Java Man, Albina Community Bank, Alexander's--Fine jewelry, Jim & Patty's--coffee, Tuk Tuk--Thai cuisine, The Red Fig--bento, Foxfire Teas, Parisi's, Alameda Cafe, TRI Level Fitness, Edward Jones Investments.

City Spaces

City Spaces is the urban version of Street of Dreams, The Ainsworth Tour or The Lake Oswego Home Tour, featuring 7 lofts decked out by the Pearl's home furnishing stores: Kitchenware shops, art galleries, and florists...all from the Pearl.

Great fun! From May 13th to May 22nd. Find out more at: www.pearlcityspaces.com

And if you get a group of girlfriends together, a 20 person group can attend for the price of 18. This sounds like a great Girl's Night Out!

Art Show & Sale
First Annual Laurelhurst ARTWALK
Saturday, May 7th 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

View the creative works of over forty local artists as you stroll from one location to another through East Portland's picturesque Laurelhurst neighborhood.

Maps will be available, after April 23rd, at ARTEMISIA garden nursery & gallery 110 S.E. 28th @ Ankeny St.

If you have questions regarding the show, please e-mail elstudio126@hotmail.com